The last game of the English calendar has been played with Arsenal historically beating Aston Villa 4-0 to win the FA Cup for a record 12th time. The Gunners were favourites going into the final and they more than lived up to the fans’ expectations. Aston Villa rarely looked threatening as Tim Sherwood’s men could not keep pace with Arsenal’s midfield. It was particularly embarrassing for Sherwood who hoped Aston Villa’s season ending good run of form would help them cause an upset. He declared after the final whistle that losing 4-0 to Arsenal was “like a kick in the privates”.
While the Arsenal back four had little to do, the midfield tore the Villa defence apart. Let’s take a look at how the Gunners fared on what was the biggest game of their season. A Perfect game for the Gunners.
Player Ratings
- Wojciech Szczesny – 6.5/10
It seemed morally important to start the Pole ahead of first choice Ospina. Wenger decided to continue to put his trust in Szczesny, who stood between the posts throughout the FA Cup campaign and was rewarded for his faith. Szczesny looked confident throughout the game despite a few botched aerial collections in the first half. He seemed mentally prepared to prove himself to manager and fans.
- Nacho Monreal -7/10
He had a free role on the left wing with Aston Villa bothering him minimally. Monreal enjoyed many overlapping runs and comfortably delivered crosses into box including the one which led to the first goal. Monreal easily read Jack Grealish and Charles Nzogbia who failed to get the better of the Spaniard throughout the game.
- Per Mertesacker – 7/10
The German continued his romance with the FA Cup. His goal sealed off the match and at 3-0 took Villa out of the final. It was Mertesacker, who scored a goal in the semi-finals of last year’s competition, took Arsenal to the final. He scored from a corner leaving the Shay Given and the Aston Villa spectating.
- Laurent Koscielny – 7.5/10
Koscielny seemed to cover more ground in the warm up prior to kick off. He was untested and gratefully received stray Villa long balls which found neither Benteke nor Agbonlahor. He performed his duties efficiently and could have joined his centre back partner on the score sheet but was brilliantly denied by Shay Given.
- Hector Bellerin – 7.5/10
He is the perfect cross-breed between a winger and a fullback. Once Arsenal started to command the game, Bellerin took to not just overlapping runs but penetrating runs from the right side of the Aston Villa box. He made life easy for Ozil and Ramsey who seemed to be relying on his presence to mount any attack from that side.
- Francis Coquelin – 8/10
An imposing physical presence in the midfield as has been throughout the second half of the campaign after being recalled from his loan spell at Charlton. He brilliantly leapt to find Monreal’s cross and set up Arsenal’s and Walcott’s first goal of the game. Coquelin’s stable handling enables forward creative players such as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
- Aaron Ramsey – 7.5/10
The midfielder who inspired the comeback in last year’s final was denied two blatant goals by some excellent defending and goalkeeping but remained the eternal attacking presence. As expected he participated in some quick passing to drag defenders out of position and infiltrate the final third of the pitch.
- Mesut Ozil – 8.5/10
There was a different class to him throughout the game. The Mesut Ozil of Germany and Real Madrid would have been proud if he saw his performance throughout the game. He found passes which were not seen by anyone and delivered balls he didn’t have the right to deliver. Arsenal fans gasped and sighed every time he got the ball. Even though he didn’t score, Mesut Ozil dictated the FA Cup final.
- Santi Cazorla – 8/10
The Spaniard stayed deep and found pockets of space enabling his more attacking team mates. His lethal passes demanded Walcott use his pace and kept Villa defenders vigilant. He moved gracefully and seemed to have a plan at all times. A definite contender for the Man of the Match award.
- Alexis Sanchez – 8.5/10
It was not surprising to see Alexis Sanchez score, but the manner of the goal got everybody off their feet, arousing a celebration even out of Wenger who came down running to the side-lines. This was his 5th goal in 4 games at Wembley. Only few would believe this was his first season in England. He looked hungry without the ball and empowered with it. His goal was a touch of class and gave Shay Given absolutely no chance.
- Theo Walcott – 8/10
He is undergoing a revival which has been long overdue. After scoring a hat-trick on the final day of the Premier League, Walcott opened the scoring to rapturous noise which engulfed Wembley and gave the Gunners a deserved lead going into half time. His pace and precisely timed runs showed why he was chosen before Giroud. Fans now certainly want to see a new contract presented to him before it’s too late.
- Olivier Giroud – 7/10
The Frenchman came on for Walcott in the 77th minute and began tormenting the defence with his physicality and aerial prowess. He got the goal he deserved, putting the cherry on a game that was already won. Watching both his strikers score must have been a pleasant sight for Wenger.
- Jack Wilshere – 6.5/10
Wilshere was restricted to the bench not due to any lack of ability but was a victim of selection problems Wenger faced before the game. The young midfielder displayed signs of getting back to his best towards the end of the Premier League campaign but had to be dropped as the other midfielders proved indispensable. He certainly impressed Wenger and Hodgson with some efficient football till the final whistle.
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6.5/10
Chamberlain, who was returning from a hamstring injury, was giving the last 10 minutes to enjoy the success of a win at Wembley. He certainly performed his duties to the best of his abilities and Arsenal fans will be happy to see him return to full fitness as will a certain England manager who will already be thinking about the Euro qualifiers in the summer.